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Android One was launched back in 2014 with a lot of enthusiasm and determination. Now, as the first more substantial reports start coming in, it seems that the initiative hasn't been doing all that well. For anyone unfamiliar with Android One, it is a Google project intended to aid manufacturers in developing and offering budget-friendly smartphones on developing markets.

It is Google's intention to introduce new technology and current means of communication and data-exchange to vast developing markets such as India and China and the Android One initiative definitely looks like the way to do so, at least on paper, that is. The reality, however, is that less than a million Android One handset have been sold in India to date, which is definitely a slow start towards the ultimate goal of reaching "the next billion people", which Google set for itself at I/O 2014.

But, despite the poor results, the tech giant has remained determined to proceed with the project and like the wisest of PM's, has carefully identified its errors and is taking steps to correct them. Caesar Sengupta, Google's VP of product management, was recently interview on the matter. His comment was filled with optimism about the future of Android One:

No, we're not backing away from the program, … We remain pretty committed to it. Android One is now in seven countries. Overall, we continue to work with OEMs across the board, local and large OEMs for bringing Android One's value proposition to many more markets.

Sengupta also stated that two main problems with the program were identified. The first one has to do with offering unsuitable products on certain markets. In the future, Android One devices will be better tailored for the specific needs of the market they are meant for. This might break the initial concept of uniformity across the whole Android One realm, but will most-likely have a positive effect one product desirability.

This being said, Google might also be reconsidering its initial sub-$120 price point for Android One devices. After reevaluating consumer needs and desires, the price target might be shifted up to the $100-$200 range. This will give OEMs a lot more room for feature implementation and hardware improvements, while still retaining the original idea of an affordable package.

Last, but not least, there is the issue of availability. As Sengupta out it:

Initially, when we had launched, people couldn't buy them in all channels, that is something that we need to address. In our future (launches) with our partners, we want to make sure that we're truly available everywhere.

It is vital for Google to iron out these problems to ensure a bright future for Android One. Still, it is quite optimistic to see that the search giant has taken the initiative to heart and is determined to see it…

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The Huawei P8 is the proud successor to the Huawei Ascend P7, although the company seems a little apprehensive about admitting it. The Chinese manufacturer hasn't quite settled…

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Users of the new Sony Xperia Z4 in Japan (known as Xperia Z3+ elsewhere) are experiencing some heating issues. Several users have posted on Twitter, saying the phone is too hot to touch. If that wasn't bad enough, some retail shops in Japan are also warning customers of the phone's heating issue, advising them to switch it off periodically.

The reason for this could be boiled down to the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, which is known to have some heating issues. It is for this reason Samsung went with its own Exynos processor for the Galaxy S6 and LG went with the less powerful Snapdragon 808 for its flagship G4.

If the heating issues are not sorted out soon, Sony might soon start feeling the heat from…

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Verizon has started rolling out a minor update to the Samsung Galaxy S5 handsets on its network. Unfortunately, this isn't the Android 5.1 update that many are eagerly awaiting.

The update, carrying software version LRX21T.G900VVRU1BOD5, brings along only a couple of features: it auto-installs the Galaxy Apps app store on the device, and enables the fingerprint scanner for unlocking Microsoft Exchange accounts.

The over-the-air (OTA) update is expected to reach all Verizon Galaxy S5 users…

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LG G4 is already out and sure looks good, especially if you opt for the exquisite leather rear covers. It has better display, faster chipset and enhanced camera, compared to its predecessor, rounding up an overall impressive package.

LG is already prepping its next big thing, though, which will be announced in the second half of 2015. This should be the recently rumored LG G4 Pro, but we have no details beyond the alleged name. Still, the latest reports from Korea say LG has a though choice to make.

Apparently LG has to decide whether to use metal for its next flagship for easier separation from the LG G4. It seems a good option and switching to metal will boost the looks and offer the necessary exterior difference.

LG also thinks on switching the method the aluminum is processed. While Apple and Samsung are using the widespread CNC (computer numerical control), LG will be improving the quality with enhancing the tech process with adding press and then doing the cut via CNC. This should be improve quality and possibly lower the production costs.

Others at LG are not OK with opting for metal for the flagships, and want to keep the metal frames for the niche devices only. They are traditionally slightly cheaper than the flagships, with less processing punch, but compensate with unique design and choice of materials (the Samsung Galaxy A series offer a few good examples of such devices).

So, LG is already prepping its next flagship, which will probably go head to head with the Galaxy Note 5. Hopefully everything turns out for the best and we get some proper phablet competition.

Source |…

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A couple of days ago OnePlus launched the second edition of its Photo Mania contest. We wrote in detail what you need to do to enter, and the prize is a mysterious involvement in a secret project for the launch of the hotly anticipated OnePlus 2.

It is this OnePlus 2 that popped up on the company's Facebook page, promoting Photo Mania 2015. But before you get too excited, you should know that the pictured device is an "engineer test unit", so not much is really revealed. It's also a safe bet that it's a render of the test unit instead of an actual physical phone, though we don't doubt the existence of such.

Not much can be said about the upcoming OnePlus 2 on that image alone, except that it has a display and a camera and the latter is only by deduction, as we can only see the front. We can also assume that the small eyelets on either side of the screen won't be a feature of the smartphone's body, but are maybe a part of a case, which protects the test unit from prying eyes.

The contest deadline is June 15, but we'd be surprised if the OnePlus 2 launches immediately after. An announcement sometime in Q3 is a more likely…

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Xiaomi has permanently dropped the price of the 64GB Xiaomi Mi 4 in India. The phone was previously priced at Rs. 23,999 ($375) but is now down to Rs. 19,999 ($312). Meanwhile, the 16GB model is priced at Rs. 17,999 ($281).

The price drop can be seen as a preemptive attack against the OnePlus One, which recently received a price drop outside India that would undoubtedly make its way to the Indian market soon.

The Mi 4 has a 5.0-inch, 1920×1080 resolution display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB RAM, 16/64GB storage, 13 megapixel rear camera, 8 megapixel front camera, and 3.080mAh battery. Unfortunately, the Indian model does not support LTE, does not have Lollipop yet, and is only available in…

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